Key operated meter monitor

ABSTRACT

Apparatus is provided for accurately accounting for the amount of gasoline, diesel fuel, or the like, withdrawn from a single source by each of a plurality of users. A drumlike outer cover is provided with a plurality of vertically aligned access ports for receiving a key unique to the individual user. A secondary port provides identification of the key unit aligned with the port. Rotatable, multi-tiered structure within the cover includes a plurality of circumferentially distributed key control units on a plurality of vertically spaced tiers. The key control units are slightly offset from one another from tier to tier such that only a single key control unit may be aligned in the key receiving position at one time. Means are provided for manually rotating the multitiered structure in order that a user may bring his individual key operated control unit into the key receiving position. When the operator inserts and rotates his key, his individual controlled key operated unit is moved radially inwardly by cam structure turned by the key. In the fully inward position, a counter gear on the key operated control unit meshes with a gear driven from the dispensing source. Additionally, a projection from the key operated control unit actuates switch means for energizing the dispensing source which may then be utilized in the usual manner with the amount of dispensed liquid being recorded on the individual counter carried on the key control unit. When the operator has received the desired amount of liquid, typically fuel, he turns his key to pull his key operated control unit out of engagement with the counter advancing mechanism and also thereby disengages the energizing means to the dispensing source. After his key is removed, a subsequent operator is free to bring his individual key operated control unit into alignment with the appropriate one of the ports at which time the procedure may be repeated and the amount of liquid dispensed recorded on his key operated control unit. The counters may therefore be read periodically to bill or otherwise require accounting from each individual user.

United States Patent Larson et al.

[54] KEY OPERATED METER MONITOR [72] Inventors: Leland B. Larson; Clyde l'l. Clement, both of Phoenix, Ariz.

[73] Assignee: Eugene G. Shaheen, Scottsdale, Ariz. a

part interest 22 Filed: July2l, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 164,501

[52] US. Cl ..235/94 R, 235/91 PR [51] Int. Cl. ..G06m l/00 [58] Field of Search ..235/9l PR, 91 R, 94 R; 222/29,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,890,078 12/1932 Enochs et a1 ..235/94 R Primary ExaminerStephen J Tomsky Assistant Examiner-Stanley A. Wal Attorney-William H. Drummond et al.

[451 June 20, 1972 571 I ABSTRACT Apparatus is provided for accurately accounting for the amount of gasoline, diesel fuel, or the like, withdrawn from a single source by each of a plurality of users. A drumlike outer cover is provided with a plurality of vertically aligned access ports for receiving a key unique to the individual user. A secondary port provides identification of the key unit aligned with the port. Rotatable, multi-tiered structure within the cover includes a plurality of circumferentially distributed key control units on a plurality of vertically spaced tiers. The key control units are slightly offset from one another from tier to tier such that only a single key control unit may be aligned in the key receiving position at one time. Means are provided for manually rotating the multitiered structure in order that a user may bring his individual key operated control unit into the key receiving position. When the operator inserts and rotates his key, his individual controlled key operated unit is moved radially inwardly by cam structure turned by the key. In the fully inward position, a counter gear on the key operated control unit meshes with a gear driven from the dispensing source. Additionally, a projection from the key operated control unit actuates switch means for energizing the dispensing source 1 which may then be utilized in the usual manner with the amount of dispensed liquid being recorded on the individual counter carried on the key control unit. When the operator has received the desired amount of liquid, typically fuel, he turns his key to pull his key operated control unit out of engagement with the counter advancing mechanism and also thereby disengages the energizing means to the dispensing source. After his key is removed, a subsequent operator is free to bring his individual key operated control unit into alignment with the appropriate one of the ports at which time the procedure may be repeated and the amount of liquid dispensed recorded on his key operated control unit. The counters may therefore be read periodically to bill or otherwise require accounting from each individual user.

5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures [4 1 June 20, 1972 United States Patent Larson et al.

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mmmumm n Ln- J;IEI 7 INVENTOR. LELAND B. LARSON CLYDE H. CLEMENT BY 46 m,m,mw 994M? ATTORNE YS KEY OPERATED METER MONITOR This invention relates to the dispensing control arts and, more particularly, to apparatus for accounting for the dispensation of liquid from a single source to each of a plurality of users.

Certain businesses, such as taxi cab fleets, truck fleets, large commercial farms, etc., may usefully utilize a single source of fuel for all the vehicles in the business operation. However, certain problems are associated with the use of such a single source. For example, it is useful to be able to determine the amount of fuel used by each individual operator as a function of his job performance and to insure that no fuel is being taken for unauthorized purposes. Further, other business considerations, such as tax deductions, require close accounting of the amounts of fuel dispensed for business purposes. Thus, it will be readily apparent that it would be highly desirable to provide apparatus for dispensing fuel from a single source to a plurality of users which includes means for accurately accounting for the amount of fuel taken be each individual user and provides against unauthorized dispensation.

It is therefore a broad object of our invention to provide improved means for controllably dispensing liquid from a single source to a plurality of users.

It is a more specific object of our invention to provide such apparatus in which the exact amount of liquid dispensed to each user is recorded.

It is a still more specific object of our invention to provide such apparatus in which each user is provided with a unique key which operates a single one of a plurality of key operated control units, each such control unit carrying a 'counter adapted to engage with counter advancing mans responsive to dispensation from the source.

It is a further object of our invention to provide such apparatus which is tamper proof and which is simple and convenient to operate and of ready manufacture.

The subject matter of the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.

The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing of which:

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway view illustrating the'outer cover and the orientation of the individual key control units on the multi-tiered apparatus therewithin;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and slightly distorted to better show the orientation of the individual key control units in the vertical tiers;

FIG. 3 illustrates one of the key operated control units in the normal, disengaged position;

FIG. 4 illustrates the control unit of FIG. 3 moved into the recording and dispensing position by the manual insertion and turning of the unique key accepted by the control unit;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a control unit in the disengaged position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a control unit reoriented into the recording and dispensing position;

FIG. 7 is a view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 2 illustrating a portion of the counter drive mechanism activated from the source computer in a first position;

FIG. 8 is a view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 2 illustrating a portion of the counter drive mechanism activated from the source computer in a second, alternate position; and

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway side view of the drive mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

Referring now to FIG. 1, it will be observed that the apparatus of the invention is enclosed within a cylindrical casing 1 and a cap member 2 through which a coaxially disposed knob 3 projects for hand rotation of the multi-tiered inner structure 4 within the casing 1. Weatherproof access covers 5 are mounted on a removable plate 6 comprising a portion of the cylindrical casing l to seal key access ports 7 and identification ports 8 when the apparatus is not in use. The removable plate 6 is secured in place by a key operated lock 9 which, as will become more apparent, permits removal of the plate 6 for reading the several counters within and also permits removing the entire cylindrical casing l which is normally held in place and positioned by pins 10 in bayonet slots 11. In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, three such pins 10 in slots 11 are circumferentially distributed about the base of the casing 1 and the multi-tiered inner structure 4.

The multi-tired inner structure 4 includes a plurality of tiers 12, 13, 14, and 15 with corresponding upwardly directed, scalloped outer lips 16, 17, 18, and19. It will be understood that a four-tiered structure as depicted in FIG. 1 is simply exemplary and that the total number of tiers may range from one to a number limited by physical and practical considerations.

Each tier 12, 13, 14, and 15 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially distributed control unit openings for accepting key operated control units 21 which will be described in detail below. The key operated control units 21 are secured to the lips 16, l7, l8, and 19 ofthe tiers 12, 13, 14, and 15 by means of screws 22 passing through predrilled apertures 23 in the lip portions of the tiers. Positions unoccupied by key operated control units 21 may have a safety plate 24 screwed into position to prevent unauthorized access by means of a screwdriver or the like through the key access ports 7. While only a few key operated control units 21 are illustrated in FIG.

l to avoid cluttering the diagram, it will be understood that a complete complement of such control units may be integrated into each of the four tiers to provide individual access to the dispensing apparatus by a corresponding number of individual users, each provided with a unique key operating only one control unit 21.

It will be observed from FIG. 1 that the key operated control units 21 are vertically staggered slightly from tier to tier in order that the vertically aligned access ports 7 will reveal only one control unit 21 at a time. As previously noted, the knob 3 may be used by an individual to rotate the multi-tiered inner structure 4 until his assigned key operatedcontrol unit 21 is readily aligned with the appropriate key access port 7 as identified by a tag 25 appearing behind the identification port 8.

Attention is now simultaneously directed to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 which reveal the manner in which a single one of the key operated control units 21 may be engaged with counter driver and dispenser energizing apparatus contained concentrically within the multi-tiered inner structure 4. Each key operated control unit 21 includes a radially inwardly directed pin 26 disposed on a radially movable portion of the control unit. It will be observed that the uppermost of the key operated control units 21 in FIG. 2 is illustrated in the engaged position; i.e., forced radially inwardly by the action of the spiral cam 27 upon a follower 28 fixed to the movable portion of the control unit. In this position, also depicted in FIG. 4, the pin 26 bears upon an actuator bar 29 which is pivotally fixed to a vertical rod 30. Intermediate along the vertical length of the actuator bar 29 is an inwardly directed flange 31 which bears against the roller actuator 32 of an explosion-proof switch 33. In this engaged position, the actuation of the explosion-proof switch 33 serves to energize the fuel pump source through an electrical cable 34, and counter gear 35 is meshed with counter driver gear 36 which is rotated by means of a flexible cable 37 from the dispensing pump computer through a set of gears to be described in conjunction with FIGS. 7, 8, and 9. One counter gear 35 is provided with each key operated control unit 21, and one counter driver gear 36 is provided for each tier, the several counter gears 36 being fixed to a common vertical shaft 38.

Attention is now specifically invited to FIGS. 3 and 4 in conjunction, respectively, with FIGS. 5 and 6 which illustrate the two alternate radial positions for each key operated control unit 21. In FIGS. 3 and 5, the unit is shown in the disengaged position as dictated by the angular disposition of the spiral cam acting upon the cam follower 28 to pull the moveable table portion 39 outwardly. The conventional counter "mechanism 40 is fixed for limited pivotal movement about a of a counter mount 43 to prevent vibration from altering the counter reading in the disengaged position.

When the proper key is inserted into the lock 44, clockwise rotation of the spiral cam 27 bears on the follower 28 to urge the moveable table portion 39 radially inwardly. Because of the radial inward bias against the counter mechanism 40, the counter gear 35 engages the counter drive gear 36 before the pin 26 pivots the actuator bar 29 sufficiently to actuate the explosion-proof switch 33. As the key is rotated and'after the gears 35 and 36 have meshed, the pin 26 will subsequently bring about the actuation of the explosion-proof switch 33 to energize the source pump for dispensing the fuel. Thus, it will be understood that the provision of the slight pivotal motion of the counter mechanism 40 and the inward bias brought about by the spring 42 serves not only to lock the counter mechanism 40in the disengaged position but also to insure that the counter mechanism is engaged prior to energization of the dispensing pump thereby assuring full registration of the dispensed fuel. As the fuel is dispensed, a flexible cable 37 from the dispensing pump computer drives the common vertical shaft 38, and hence the counter drive gear 36 which, in turn, drives the counter gear 35 causing the 1 counter mechanism 40 to accumulate at a rate corresponding to the amount of fuel dispensed. When the dispensing cycle is completed, the key is turned counterclockwise to withdraw the key operated control unit 21 into the disengaged position depicted in FIGS. 3 and whereupon the key may be removed to permit the next user to select his key operated control unit upon which fuel dispensation will be accumulated in a like manner.

The gear structure for driving the several counter drive gears 36 on the common vertical shaft 38 is illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9. Inasmuch as dispensing. pumps of different manufacture may provide an output rotating in different directions, it is necessary for the unit to be able to accept quantity output information represented by rotation of the flexible cable 37 in either direction. In order to accommodate either direction of rotation, the flexible shaft terminates in a first drive gear 45 which is journalled in a two position plate 46. In a firstposition of the plate 46, illustrated in FIG. 7, the first drive gear 45 is positioned to mesh directly with a second drive gear 47 which is fixed to the common vertical shaft 38. Hence, a rotation reversal is effected betweenthe information brought in by the flexible cable 37 to the several counter drive gears 36. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the alternative position of the two position plate 46 in which the first drive gear 45 engages an idler gear 48. The idler gear 48 is always meshed with the second drive gear 47, but in the configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, it functions to provide a double reversal of rotational direction between the flexible cable 37 and the second drive gear 47. Thus, it will be readily understood that the provision of the two position drive apparatus permits the dispensing and monitoring system of the present invention to accept dispensing information represented by rotation of the flexible cable 37 in either direction.

While the principles of the invention have now been made clear in an illustrative embodiment, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components, used in the practice of the invention which are particularly adapted for specific environments and operating requirements without departing from those principles.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for individually monitoring and recording amounts of material dispensed from a single source to each of a plurality of users in response to quantity information represented by rotating computation means from the source comprising:

A. an outer housing;

B. an inner structure rotatably supported within said outer housing, said inner structure comprising a circular trough-like tier, said tier having an inner wall, a bottom, and an outer lip;

C. a plurality of key-operated control units disposed circumferentially about and fixed to said tier, each of said key-operated control units comprising:

1. a stationary platform having an upwardly extending forward portion fixed to said outer lip,

2. a moveable platform slideably fixed to said stationary platform, 7

3. a key operated lock supported on said stationary platform and oriented to receive an operating key from a position outwardly from said lip, said lock including cam means rotatable in response to rotation of a key in said lock,

4. a cam follower fixed to said moveable platform and engaging said cam, said cam and said cam follower being complementarily configured to move said moveable platform away from and toward said lock in response to angular translation of said cam in opposite directions,

5. a mechanical counter supported on and carried by said moveable platfon'n, said counter including a numerical readout and a counter gear which, when rotated in a first direction, advances the number indicated by said numerical readout, and

6. a rearwardly directed actuating pin fixed to said moveable platform;

D. openings in said inner wall of said tier for receiving said counter gear and said actuating pin of each of said key operated control units when said corresponding moveable platform is moved radially inwardly in response to angular translation of said corresponding cam;

E. counter driver gear means coupled to the rotating computation means from the source disposed within said inner structureat a fixed position, said counter driver gear means being positioned and oriented to mesh with one of said counter gears when said one counter gear is radially aligned with said counter driver gear means and said corresponding moveable platform carrying said counter gear is moved radially inwardly;

F. electrical switch means disposed within said inner structure for energizing the source to initiate dispensation of the material when said switch is actuated; and

G. means responsive to the radially inward travel of said actuating pin carried by said corresponding moveable platform for actuating said electrical switch means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which each of said mechanical counters is eccentrically pivotally secured to a support member fixed to said moveable platform and in which counter biasing means urges said mechanical counter generally inwardly whereby said counter gear bears against said support member when said counter gear is disengaged from said counter driver gear means to prevent vibration from altering the reading of said mechanical counter.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said inner structure comprises a plurality of said tiers and said outer housing is provided with a corresponding plurality of vertically aligned openings horizontally aligned with the key openings of said key operated control units.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which said counter driver gear means includes a plurality of counter driver gears, each disposed for engagement with the counter gears of said key control units of one of said tiers, said counter driver gears fixed to a common vertical shaft.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 which includes idler gear means for selectively reversing the direction of rotation transmitted from the rotating computation means to said counter driven gear means. 

1. Apparatus for individually monitoring and recording amounts of material dispensed from a single source to each of a plurality of users in response to quantity information represented by rotating computation means from the source comprising: A. an outer housing; B. an inner structure rotatably supported within said outer housing, said inner structure comprising a circular trough-like tier, said tier having an inner wall, a bottom, and an outer lip; C. a plurality of key-operated control units disposed circumferentially about and fixed to said tier, each of said key-operated control units comprising:
 1. a stationary platform having an upwardly extending forward portion fixed to said outer lip,
 2. a moveable platform slideably fixed to said stationary platform,
 3. a key operated lock supported on said stationary platform and oriented to receive an operating key from a position outwardly from said lip, said lock including cam means rotatable in response to rotation of a key in said lock,
 4. a cam follower fixed to said moveable platform and engaging said cam, said cam and said cam follower being complementarily configured to move said moveable platform away from and toward said lock in response to angular translation of said cam in opposite directions,
 5. a mechanical counter supported on and carried by said moveable platform, said counter including a numerical readout and a counter gear which, when rotated in a first direction, advances the number indicated by said numerical readout, and
 6. a rearwardly directed actuating pin fixed to said moveable platform; D. openings in said inner wall of said tier for receiving said counter gear and said actuating pin of each of said key operated control units when said corresponding moveable platform is moved radially inwardly in response to angular translation of said corresponding cam; E. counter driver gear means coupled to the rotating computation means from the source disposed within said inner structure at a fixed position, said counter driver gear means being positioned and oriented to mesh with one of said counter gears when said one counter gear is radially aligned with said counter driver gear means and said corresponding moveable platform carrying said counter gear is moved radially inwardly; F. electrical switch means disposed within said inner structure for energizing the source to initiate dispensation of the material when said switch is actuated; and G. means responsive to the radially inward travel of said actuating pin carried by said corresponding moveable platform for actuating said electrical switch means.
 2. a moveable platform slideably fixed to said stationary platform,
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which each of said mechanical counters is eccentrically pivotally secured to a support member fixed to said moveable platform and in which counter biasing means urges said mechanical counter generally inwardly whereby said counter gear bears against said support member when said counter gear is disengaged from said counter driver gear means to prevent vibration from altering the reading of said mechanical counter.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said inner structure comprises a plurality of said tiers and said outer housing is provided with a corresponding plurality of vertically aligned openings horizontally aligned with the key openings of said key operated control units.
 3. a key operated lock supported on said stationary platform and oriented to receive an operating key from a position outwardly from said lip, said lock including cam means rotatable in response to rotation of a key in said lock,
 4. a cam follower fixed to said moveable platform and engaging said cam, said cam and said cam follower being complementarily configured to move said moveable platform away from and toward said lock in response to angular translation of said cam in opposite directions,
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which said counter driver gear means includes a plurality of counter driver gears, each disposed for engagement with the counter gears of said key control units of one of said tiers, said counter driver gears fixed to a common vertical shaft.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 which includes idler gear means for selectively reversing the direction of rotation transmitted from the rotating computation means to said counter driven gear means.
 5. a mechanical counter supported on and carried by said moveable platform, said counter including a numerical readout and a counter gear which, when rotated in a first direction, advances the number indicated by said numerical readout, and
 6. a rearwardly directed actuating pin fixed to said moveable platform; D. openings in said inner wall of said tier for receiving said counter gear and said actuating pin of each of said key operated control units when said corresponding moveable platform is moved radially inwardly in response to angular translation of said corresponding cam; E. counter driver gear means coupled to the rotating computation means from the source disposed within said inner structure at a fixed position, said counter driver gear means being positioned and oriented to mesh with one of said counter gears when said one counter gear is radially aligned with said counter driver gear means and said corresponding moveable platform carrying said counter gear is moved radially inwardly; F. electrical switch means disposed within said inner structure for energizing the source to initiate dispensation of the material when said switch is actuated; and G. means responsive to the radially inward travel of said actuating pin carried by said corresponding moveable platform for actuating said electrical switch means. 